July 25, 2014
- Spring Camp Central
- 2014 Outback Bowl Central
- Read the June issue of Hawk Talk Monthly
- Big Ten Network: Free Hawkeye Video
- 24 Hawkeyes to Watch
IOWA CITY, Iowa — Six University of Iowa football players — Brandon Scherff, Carl Davis, Kevonte Martin-Manley, Austin Blythe, John Lowdermilk and Desmond King — have earned College Sports Madness Preseason honors.
Scherff, who garnered first-team All-America and All-Big Ten preseason honors, started all 13 games at left tackle last year as Iowa posted an 8-5 record and competed at the 2014 Outback Bowl. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound senior offensive lineman was the recipient of the team’s Roy. J. Carver Offensive Most Valuable Player, Team Hustle Award and was recognized as second-team All-America by FWAA. The Denison, Iowa, native, has also been named to the 2014 Rotary Lombardi Award and Outland Trophy preseason watch lists.
Davis, who earned third-team All-America and first-team All-Big Ten preseason honors, garnered second-team All-Big Ten honors from league coaches last season following a 2013 campaign that was highlighted by a combined 42 tackles. Davis, a 6-foot-5, 315-pound native of Detroit, Michigan, has been named to the 2014 Bednarik Award Preseason Watch List, the Outland Trophy Preseason Watch List, and the Bronko Nagurski Trophy Watch List.
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Martin-Manley earned second-team All-Big Ten preseason honors following an explosive junior season.The 6-foot, 205-pound senior native of Pontiac, Michigan, picked up 314 yards and two touchdowns on 20 punt returnas, which ranked second in the Big Ten and eighth in the nation. Martin-Manley became the first Big Ten Conference player to ever return back-to-back-punts for touchdowns last season against Western Michigan, and is just the second player in the last decade with two punt return touchdowns in one quarter. His 184 return yards in a game ranks second best all-time in Big Ten history. Martin-Manley was also named to the Paul Hornung Award Watch List.
Blythe, who garnered third-team All-Big Ten preseason honors, started all 13 games at center and garnered honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Behind Blythe and the offensive line, the Hawkeye rushing attack opened the 2013 season on a high note, reaching the 200-yard mark in five straight games. That same unit was also crucial to the Hawkeye passing game, which accounted for 2,383 yards and 18 touchdowns. The Hawkeyes allowed just 15 sacks, the fewest in the Big Ten. Blythe was also named to the Rimington Trophy Watch List.
Lowdermilk, who garnered third-team All-Big Ten preseason honors, started 13 games at strong safety last season. The 6-foot-2, 210 pound senior from Carrolton, Ohio, ranked fourth on the Hawkeye defense with 78 tackles, 36 solo stops, 42 assists and 4.5 tackles for loss. Lowdermilk’s 2013 season was highlighted in his first career start against Northern Illinois where he recorded a career-high eight tackles with three solo stops.
King, who earned preseason third-team All-Big Ten honors, saw action in 13 games last season, making 12 starts as a true freshman. The 5-foot-11, 190-pound Detroit, Michigan, native recorded 44 solo tackles, 25 assists, three tackles for loss, collected eight pass break-ups and two recovered fumbles. His freshman campaign garnered the Next Man In Award, third-team Freshman All-America by Athlon Sports and first-team Freshman All-Big Ten by BTN.com.
The Hawkeyes will open the 2014 season by hosting Northern Iowa on Aug. 30 inside Kinnick Stadium. Tickets are available for purchase by contacting the UI Athletics Ticket Office at (800) IA-HAWKS, or online at hawkeyesports.com.
